The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Philadelphia Eagles and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 Philadelphia Eagles Defense
The Eagles stifled running backs in 2024, allowing 4.1 yards per carry to the position (6th) with a 9.3% explosive run rate (9th) and 5 rushing touchdowns allowed (2nd).
As will be the case for a lot of positions on defense, the Eagles suffered a big loss along the defensive line this offseason with Milton Williams moving to the Patriots.
The rest of the main rotation is back.
Jalen Carter built on his exceptional rookie season, earning a Pro Bowl nod with 13 run stuffs and 4.5 sacks while playing 84% of the defensive snaps.
Jordan Davis has not developed into that kind of every-down player, and he was not as impactful per snap against the run in 2024.
Moro Ojomo was also an important part of the rotation last season, failing to record a sack but posting a solid 12.2% pressure rate.
The Eagles ranked seventh in pressure rate a season ago (36.8%) while finishing 13th with 41 sacks, but two of the most impactful pass rushers from a season ago are gone. Brandon Graham also retired, removing quality veteran depth.
A first-round pick in 2023, Nolan Smith took a step forward in year two, but his 11.9% pressure rate ranked 49th among pass rushers with at least 250 rushes. He did come on strong in the playoffs, though, recording 4 sacks with a 13.8% pressure rate.
A third-round pick last year, Jalyx Hunt had 1.5 sacks on limited snaps as a rookie, recording a bottom-tier 8.4% pressure rate. The Eagles added Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche in free agency.
Linebacker was a question mark after Nakobe Dean suffered a serious knee injury in the playoffs that will almost certainly sideline him into the 2025 season, but they re-signed Zack Baun following a breakout season in 2024 before adding Jihaad Campbell in the first round.
Campbell could end up helping on the edge, as well, but he will likely be needed at linebacker while Dean recovers.
The Eagles shut down opposing passing games last season, allowing just 6.0 yards per attempt (1st), an 82.5 passer rating (3rd), and a 6% big play rate (1st).
They were even better later in the season, finishing first in defensive EPA per pass from Week 6 through the end of the season.
Philly did lose some important pieces of that secondary with Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, and Avonte Maddox all set to play for new teams in 2025.
More importantly, though, rookie sensations Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are back for year two.
Mitchell finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. DeJean finished fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
The spot behind those two is where the questions start. The Eagles have 2023 fourth-round pick Kelee Ringo on the roster, and they added veteran Adoree‘ Jackson in free agency.
There has also been talk of DeJean getting some time at safety, but the thinness of this corner corps could put those plans on hold.
Continuing the theme of offseason losses, the Eagles sent C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans in a trade, opening up a big hole at safety.
The constant here is Reed Blankenship. 2023 third-round pick Sydney Brown should slot in as the starter opposite Blankenship, and Philly added Andrew Mukuba in the second round.
Tristin McCollum actually played the third-most snaps in the safety unit last season, but he did not stand out.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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